Pump.



C. H. RITTENHOUSE L W. E. HALLETT.

PUMP.

APPLxcATloN min JUNE s, 1915.

l 176,988. Patented Mar. 28, 1916.

2 SHEETSASHEET 2.

narran srafrns Barum" union.

CHARLES H.. RITTENI-IOUSE AND WILLIAM E. -I-IALLETT, OF PHOENIX, ARIZONA, ASSIGNORS TO TOLTEC. IMPROVEMENT COMPANY, OF PHOENIX, ARIZONA, A

CORPORATION OF ARIZONA.

PUMP.

Application filed June 9, 1915.

To all lwlw/m t may concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLES H. RITTEN- HOUSE and VILLIAM E. HALLETT, citizens of the United States, and residents of Phoenix, county of Maricopa, State of Arizona, have invented certain new" and useful Improvements in Pumps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for pumping liquids and primarily for pumping water, and has reference particularly to that class of pumps in which an explosive miX- ture is used in contact with the water,the explosion of the mixture forcing the water to the required elevation.

The objects of the invention are to provide an improved pumping apparatus of the class described, in which fuel oil and a twocycle principle of operation are employed. By employing the two-cycle principle of operation every outstroke of the water in the play pipe is utilized as a pumping stroke and by using fuel oil it is possible to employ the return stroke of the water for compressing air in the combustion chamber of the apparatus, to any desired compression pressure, andthen inject the oil to form the combustible mixture. One disadvantage of the four-cycle principle of operation, which has heretofore been suggested for this class of pumping apparatus, is that the combustible mixture is compressed in the combustion chamber and the compression pressure is limited on account of the heat of compression which would fire the mixture prematurely. As a consequence the elevations to which water may be pumped by the four-cycle principle have been rather limited and it is one of the purposes of the present invention to provide anjapparatus in which the water or other liquid may be pumped to a much 1 higher elevation than has been possible heretofore. It will be evident that the reciprocaticn of a very long column of water will result in very high compression pressures in the explosion chamber and these pressures will preclude the compression of a combustible mixture, whereas in accordance with the present invention,'only the air is subjected to high compression pressures and the fuel isinjected when the pressure is most suitable.

A further object of the invention is to provide mechanism which acts automatically to Specification of Letters Patent.

' parts shown in Figf2; Fig. 5 is Patenten tirar. 2s, wie. Serial No. 33,115.

inject the fuel at a predetermined compression pressure.

.With the foregoing and other objects in view, as will appear from the following description, the invention may be embodied in various forms of apparatus one of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, modifications Vof some of the details being also shown.

In the drawings-Figure 1 is a vertical section with certain of the pipes broken and shortened so that the relative lengths do not appear; Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a modification of a detail; Fig. 4 is an elevation of the an enlarged section on line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, 10 indicates a play pipe or discharge pipe for the water, this pipe being preferably provided with a branchll having a suitable cap or closure 12 at its upper end. The discharge from the pipe 11 is through the branch 13 which may be of any desired length. At the lower end of the pipe 10 there is a return bend or U 14e with which a branch l5 is connected, this branch having an inwardly opening check or foot valve 16 through which the water is received into the return bend 14. The branch 15 thus serves as an intake for the water to be pumped andas the return bend is an extension of the pipe 10 this intake may be considered as being on the play pipe. A riser 17 from the return bend 111 connects with the member 18 which, with the upward extension 19 thereon, constitutes the eXplosion chamber of the apparatus. An exhaust connection 20 is secured on the member 1S and is provided with an outwardly opening check valve 21. An exhaust pipe 22 may be attached to the upper end of the exhaust connection 20 to carrry off the burnt gases. A valve 24 is adapted to engage a seat 25 on the lower end of the connection 20 and cut off the explosion chamber from the eX- haust connection. The valve 2-1, in Fig. 1, has a stem 26 which is slidable through a suitable guide sleeve 27 and permits the valve to move vertically from the position shown to a position where it engages with the seat 28 for the purpose of cutting off the riser 17 and the play pipe from communication with the explosion chamber. It will V32 of the head 29 where it will be ignited on account of this portion of the head, being maintained in a heated condition by means of the torch 38 or other suitable heating device. It will be understood that the torch 3S is only shown diagrammatically.

A valve body 34 is secured on the side of the extension 19 and has slidably arranged therein the inwardly opening valve 85. The stem 36 of this valve carries an adjustable collar 37 between which and the valve body there is a spring 38 which is adapted to normally hold the vz lve 35 against the seat 39. A suitable cap 40 may be arranged over the outer end ofthe valve stem 36 to serve as a protector therefor. A pipe 41 connects with the valve body 34 by .means of the opening 42. This pipe leads to the cap 12 and has communication with the extension 11 of the play pipe. A check valve 43 is arranged in the pipe 41 and adapted to permit air to fiow from the extension 11 to the valve body 84, but prevents flow in the opposite direction. An intake pipe 44 also communicates with the extension 11, and is provided with a check valve 45 which permits air to flow into the extension 1l., but prevents outward flow from the extension.

For the purpose of facilitating the starting of the apparatus and for other purposes a valve 46 is arranged adjacent the lower end of the play pipe. rlhis valve is shown diagrammaticallv in Fig. 1 as a sliding plate, but it will be understood that any suitable quick acting gate or other form of valve will be used. A drain pipe 47 communicates with the interior of the extension 15 above the valve 16 and is provided with a stop valve 4S which is adapted to be actuated from any convenient point by means of a stem 49.

In the normal operation of the apparatus the extension 15 and preferably the U bend 14 will be submerged in the body of water to be lifted. The valve 4S is normally closed and the valve 46 is normally open. Assuming that the usual amount of water is in the play pipe 10 and rises to the proper elevation of the branch 13 and that an explosion has just occured in the explosion chamber, the valve 24 will be in the position shown in Fig. 1 and an explosion of the gases will produce a pressure on the water in the member 18 and force the column of water in the play pipe upwardly to the discharge level. As the water rises in the play pipe it compresses the air in the extension 11 and the momentum of the water carries it to such a height that the gases in the explosion chamber expand to a degree permitting the weight of the valve 24 and its stem and the atmospheric pressure thereon to cause the valve to leave its seat 25 and thus put the explosion chamber into communication with the exhaust chamber 20. The valve 24 will then engage the seat 28 and cutoff the explosion chamber from the riser 17so that as the water in the play pipe continues to move upwardly due to its momentum a vacuum will be created in the return bend 14 which will cause the water to flow into the return bend through the intake, the valve 16 automatically opening to permit the inflow. The compression of the air in the extension 11 of the play pipe forces the valve 35 away from the seat 39 and the compressed` air will then Vflow into the upper part of the `explosion chamber and force the burnt gases out through the exhaust connection 20,v this air 'thus serving as a scavenging means for the explosion chamber. When the water in the play pipe reaches the limit of its upward movement and starts back, due to the action of gravity thereon, the valve 35 will close and the water dawn through the intake into the riser 17 and the lower part of the play pipe will be forced upwardly against the valve 24 and throw the latter against the seat 25.

'Vhile the valve 24 is passing from the seat 28 to the seat 25 the burnt gases which were pocketed under the valve have an opportunity to pass around the valve and out through the exhaust connection 20 and when the valve 24 engages the seat 25 the air in the explosion chamber' will be compressed by the rising water. The water will continue to rise in the explosion chamber and compress the air therein until the pressure is suflicient to overcome the momentum of the water. For very high lifts the compresto form the most efficient explosive mixtures and we have therefore provided means for injecting the oil into the explosion chamber when the pressure therein reaches the proper amount on the outstroke of the water. Vhile it is not absolutely necessary to delay the injection of the fuel until the outstroke of the water, for the fuel might be injected on the in or return stroke of the water, we have found it preferable to in- Aject the fuel on the outstrcke so that the force of the explosion will augment the action of the compression pressure in the eX plosion chamber in lifting the water in the play pipe.

l/Ve have (provided means for automatically injecting the fuel into the explosion chamber when the pressure therein is at a predetermined amount andV this means is illustrated in Figs.,2,4 and 5. j A bracket() issupported on `the member 18 and carries a plunger 51 the lower end of which is sub jected to the pressure in the explosion chamber. A packing 52 prevents leakage along the plunger 51 and this packing is adjusted by means of a gland Theplunger 51 has secured thereon a` collar 54e between which and the upper end. of the bracket there is a spring which presses the plunger downwardly. A bracket 56 is supported on the bracket `50 and provided-with abore 57 for the reciprocating pump plunger `58a. A suitable packing 59 is provided for t-he plunger 58 and this packing is adjusted by a gland 60. The lower end of the plunger 59 is provided with a head 61. This head is adapted to be engaged by the upper end 82 of the plunger 51 so that when the latter is forced upwardly by the pressure in the eX- plosion chamberv the pump plunger 58 will also be forced up ard to effect a` discharge of liquid'fuel through the discharge valve G3. A spring (ist is arranged between the head (52 andan adjustable sleeve G5 and serves to force theplunger 58 downwardljr with the plunger 51. The sleeve is carried by an adjustable sleeve GG which has threaded engagement with the bracket 5G, as clearly shown inA Fig. 2 and the sleeve G8 has an internal shoulder 87 at its lower end which is adapted to be engaged by the head 61 to limit the downward movement of the plunger 58. It will be seen thatby this construction the adjustmentof the sleeve G6 will carry the plunger' 58 upwardly or downwardly relative to the plunger 51 and permit'the latter to have a certain amount of movement before engaging the head G1 and in this way the stroke of the plunger 58 may be varied and in consequence the quantity of fuel delivered on each stroke of the plunger varied. Fuel is supplied to the bore 57 from an inlet passage (i8 which is closed by a suitable inlet valve 89. Suitable removable plugs give access to the valves 63 and 69.- rlhe upward movement of the plunger 51 is limited by the engagement of the collar 5d with the surface 711of the bracket 50.

A discharge pipe 72 for the fuel is con# nected with the nozzle 31 so that therfuel delivered by the plunger 58 will be discharged through this nozzle into the explosion chamber. The nozzle 31 has arranged therein a rod 73 which carries a valve 74 at the `collar 79 the plunger `its upper end, this valve seating on the end of the nozzle and serving to spray the fuel Ato guide the rod 73 in its movement and also to insure a perfect seating of the valve 7i-l. In Vorder to permit the passage of the fuel along the enlarged part 77 the latter is provided with a series of grooves 78 in its outer surface as clearly shown in Fig. 5.

ln order to provide automatic means for injecting the fuel at a predetermined pressure in the explosion chamber we have secured Va collar on the plunger 51, this collar being provided with a flange 8O which is normally engaged by a pair of latching pawls 81, 82 carried on the shafts 83 and 8arespectively. From Fig. 2 it will be seen that so long as the pawls 8l and 82 engage 51 will be held against upward movement regardless of the pressure acting on the lower end of the plunger. ln order to provide for the injection of the fuelat the proper instant we have therefore supplied means for automatically disengaging the pawls 81 and 82 from the collar 79 in accordance with a prede tern'xined pressure in the explosion chamber. This means'comprises a rotatable shaft 85 on the bracket 50 and arms 88 and 87 which are secured on the shafts 83 and 84C respec tively. The lower ends of the arms 86 and 87 are connected bya spring 88 which tends to draw the arms together and hold the pawls 8l and 82 in engagement with the collar 79. `Each of the arms 86 and 87 carries a roller 89 that is adapted to be engaged by a cam 90 on the shaft 85 so that when the shaft 85 is rotated the engage- H ment of the'cam 90 with the rollers 89 will force the arms 88 and 87 apart, against the tension of the spring 88 and thus disengage the pawls 81 and 82 from the collar 79 and permit the plunger 5l to move upwardly under the influence of the pressure in the explosion chamber which acts on the lower end thereof.

A cylinder 91 is secured on the exterior of the explosion chamber 19 and an opening 92 in the wall of the latter places the interior of the cylinder 91 in communication with the explosion chamber. The cylinder 91 carries 'a plunger 93 which projects through af stuffing box 9st and carries a collar which is engaged by a spring 98. the latter also bearing on an adjustable sleeve 97 that -is carried by a yoke 98. The yoke 98 is support-ed on the cylinder 91 by means of a pair of` rods 99 and by adjusting the sleeve 97 in the yoke the tension of the spring 96 may be varied. The reduced outer end 100 of the plunger 93, carries a collar 101 having a bevelededge 102. A disk 103 is secured on the shaft 85 and carries a detent 104 which is pressed outwardly by a spring 105. On the return or inflow of the water in the explosion chamber the rising compression pressure of the air therein will force the plunger 93 outward until the head 106 engages the seat 107. In this movement of the plunger the spring 96 is compressed and the beveled surface 102 of the collar 101 engages with and depresses the detent 104 and permits the collar to pass the end of the detent and assume the position shown in Fig. 4. rlhe'parts will remain in this position until the pressure in the explosion chamber has been reduced on the out-stroke of the water to a suliicient amount to permit the spring 96 to force the plunger 93 backward against the pressure ofthe head 106 thereof. As the plunger 93 moves backward the engagement of the collar 101 with the detent 104 causes the disk 103 and the shaft 85 to be rotated and the cam 90 will disengage the pawls 81 and 82 from the collar 79. rllhe rotation of the disk 103 carries the end of the detent 104 below the collar 101 and then the spring 88 is permitted to draw the arms 86 and 87 and the pawls 81 and 82 back to their normal position. After the pressure in the explosion chamber decreases a sufficient amount the spring 55 will force the plunger 51 downward into the position shown in Fig. 2 where the pawls 81 and 82 will again engage the collar 7 9 and the parts will be ready for the next cycle of operations.

'From the foregoing it will be seen that we have provided means for automatically injecting the fuel into the explosion chamber at a predetermined pressure on the outstroke of the water and the pressure at which'the fuel will be injected may be accurately determined by the adjustment of the sleeve 97 to vary the initial tension of the spring 96. By increasing the initial tension of the spring 96 the pressure at which the fuel will be injected will be increased and on the other hand, by reducing the initial ten sion of the spring 96 the pressure will be correspondingly reduced.

"When it is desired to inject the fuel on V the return or instroke of the water it is only necessary to omit the automatic mechanism just described or to permanently separate the arms 86 and 87 so as to hold the pawls 81 and 82 out of engagement with the collar 7 9. Under these conditions the plunger 51 will be permitted to rise in accordance with the increase in the compression pressure in the explosion chamber on'the instroke of the water and therefore the fuel will be injected on the instroke of the water.

After the plunger 51 has been raised-by the compression pressure it will be maintained. in the raised position, until after the explosion, and the pressure in the explosion chamber has decreased to a sufficient amount to permit the spring 55 to return the plunger 51 to its normal position.

ln llig. 3 we have shown a modilication of the apparatus in which the stem 26 of the valve 24 carries a piston 107. The piston 107 is arranged in a suitably supported dash pot cylinder 108 provided with the usual by-pass 109 between the opposite ends-thereof, this bypass having a suitable valve 110 therein by means of which the rate of trans fer of fluidV from one end of the cylinder 108 to the other may be controlled, in the usual manner. A check valve 111 is arranged in the piston 107 and permits the fluid in the cylinder to pass upwardly through the passage 112, but prevents flow in the opposite direction. rllhe valve 24 thus moves rapidly from seat 25 to seat 28, but is retarded in the opposite direction.

Vihen the apparatus is shut down the valve 46 is closed for the purpose of entraining the water in the play pipe. rEhe valve 48 is opened to drain the water from the space below the valve 46 and from the explosion chamber. When the apparatus is next started the valve 48 is closed and the valve 46 quickly opened to permit the water in the play pipe to descend and compress the air in the explosion chamber. Thewall 32 of the head 29 having been previously heated to the requisite temperature, the compression pressure in the explosion chamber will actuate the fuel injector and cause an explosion which will force the water out of the explosion chamber and up the play pipe, thus starting the cycle of operations of the apparatusv which will then continue automatically.

Having thus described our invention what we claim is I- Y 1. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a play pipe, an explosion chamber, an intake for the play pipe, means for supplying air to said chamber during each outstroke of the water in the playV pipe, means for injecting fuel into said chamber whereby an explosive mixture is formed therein, means for igniting said mixture, and means whereby the burnt gases are exhausted from said chamber on each instroke.

2. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a play pipe, an explosion chamber, an intake for the play pipe, means for supplying air to said chamber during each outstroke of the water in the play pipe, means for injecting fuel into said chamber whereby an explosive mixture is formed therein, means for automatically controlling the injection of the fuel in accordance with a predetermined pressure in said chamber,

`means for igniting said mixture, and means whereby the burnt gases are exhausted from said chamber on each instroke. 3. In apparatus of the class described, the

combination of a play pipe, an explosion chamber, an intake for the play pipe, means j for supplying air to said chamber during each outstroke of the water in the play pipe, means for injecting fuel into said chamber whereby an explosive mixture is formed therein, means for automatically controlling the injection of the fuel in accordance with a predetermined pressure in said chamber on the outstroke of the water in the play pipe, means for igniting said mixture, and means whereby the burnt gases are eX- hausted from said chamber.

4. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a play pipe, an explosion chamber, an intake for the play pipe, means forsupplying air to said chamber during the outstroke of the water in the play pipe, means for injecting fuel into said chamber whereby an explosive mixture is formed therein, adjustable means for automatically controlling the injection of the fuel in accordance' with predetermined pressures in said chamber, means for igniting said mixture, and means whereby the burnt gases are exhausted from said chamber.

In apparatus of the class described, the con'ibinaticn of a play pipe, an explosion chamber, an intake for the play pipe, means whereby the energy of the water en the outstroke is utilized to supply airto said chamber, means whereby the energy of the return stroke of the water is utilized tosupply fuel to said chamber, means for ignitmg the combustible mixture in the combustion chamber, and means for exhausting the burnt gases. j

6. In apparatus of the class described, 'the combination of a play pipe, an. explosion chamber, an intake for the play pipe, means whereby the energy of the water on the outstroke is utilized to compress air and force the same into the combustion chamber, a fuel pump actuated by the compressipn-pressure of the air Vin said chamber to inject fuel into the chamber, means for automatically contro-lling the injection of the fuel in accordance with predetermined compression pressure, means for igniting the combustible mixture, and means for exhausting the burnt gases. v

7. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a play pipe, an explosion chamber, an intake for the play pipe, `means for automatically supplying air to said chamber, a fuel pump actuated by the compression pressure of the air in said chamber to inject fuel into the chamber, means f or igniting the combustiblemixture, and means for exhausting the burnt gases.

8. In apparatus of the class described, the

combination of a play pipe', chamber, an intake for the play pipe, devices for supplying air and fuel to said chamber arranged to operate successively and in accordance with predetermined pressures in said chamber, means for igniting thecombustible mixture in said chamber, and means for exhausting the burnt gases.

9. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a play pipe, an explosion chamber, an intake for the play pipe, means for supplying air to said chamber, means for automatically injecting fuel into said chamber ata predetermined compression pressure, means for igniting the combustible mixture in said chamber, and means whereby the burnt gases are exhausted.

10. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a play pipe, an explosion chamber, an intake for the play pipe, means for supplying air to said chamber in time to be compressed by the returning water in the play pipe on each instroke, means for automatically injecting fuel into said chamber during each outstroke of the water in the play pipe, means for igniting the combustible mixture in said chamber, and means whereby the burnt gases are exhausted.

l1. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a play pipe, an explosion chamber, an intake for the play pipe, means foi supplying air to said chamber on each outstroke of the water in the play pipe to drive out the burnt gases and supply air for the succeeding charge, means for automatically injectiiig fuel into said chamber on the succeeding outstrokeV of the water in the play pipe, means for igniting the mixture in said chamber, and a .valve controlled port for exhausting the burnt gases.

12. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a play pipe, an explosion chamber, an intake for the playlpipe, an air chamber on the play pipe, means for supplyan explosion stroke of the water in the play pipe, a con- Vduit connecting said air chamber with said explosion chamber, a valve in said conduit adapted to prevent back flow from the explosion chamber to the air chamber, means for injecting fuel into the explosion chamber on each outstroke of the water in the play pipe, means for igniting the combustible mixture in the explosion chamber, and means for exhausting the burnt gases.

13. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a play pipe, an explosion chamber, an intake exhaust conduit for the burnt gases, and valve means actuated simultaneously to open said explosion chamber to said exhaust conduit and close communication between the explosion chamber and the play pipe.

14. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a play pipe, an explosion for the play pipe, an

lOO

chamber, an intake for the play pipe, an exhaust conduit for the burnt gases from said explosion chamber, and an automatically operating valve having tWo ixed positions in one of which the explosion chamber. is in communication with the play pipe and cut oil from communication With the exhaust conduit, and in the other position the explosion chamber is in communication with the exhaust conduit and cut ol' from the play pipe.

15. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a playpipe, an explosion chamber, an intake for the play pipe, an exhaust conduit for the burnt gases from said explosion chamber, Valve means automatically movable to alternately close comi munication between the explosion chamber and the play pipe and the explosion chamber and said exhaust conduit, and means for controlling the rapidity of the movement ot said valve means.

16. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a play pipe, an explosion chamber, an exhaust conduit for the burnt gases from said explosion chamber, an automatically operating valve adapted to alternately close communication between the explosion chamlier and the exhaust conduit and the explosion chamber and the play pipe, said valve when in intermediate position permitting gases to be exhausted from the play pipe through said exhaust conduit, means i'or supplying an explosive charge to said chamber, and means forigniting the charge in the chamber.

17. In appaatus of the class described, the combination ol a play pipe, an explosion chamber, an intake for the play pipe, means ior supplying air to said chamber, a shutoill valve in the play pipe spaced at a distance from said chamber, means for draining the Water from the space between said valve and the explosion chamber' when the valve is closed, means Jfor supplying fuel to said chamber, and means for igniting the combustible mixture in the chamber.

1S. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a play pipe, an explosion chamber, an intake for the play pipe, means lor supplying air to the explosion chamber, a pump for supplying fuel to the explosion chamber, a plunger actuated by the pressure in the explosion chamber and adapted to operate the pump, means :tor normally holding said plunger against operation, and means actuated in accordance with the compression pressure in said chamber to release said holding means.

19. In apparatus of the class described, the combination or' a play pipe, an explosion chamber, an intake for the play pipe, means for supplying air to the explosion chamber, a pump, a plunger actuated by the compression pressure in said chamber and adapted to operate said pump, means l'or normally holding said plunger against the pressure in the explosion chamber, a plunger movable by the compression pressure in said chamber into operative connection with said holding means, and means whereby the last named plunger is moved in accordance With changes in pressure in the explosion chamber to release said holding means.

20. In apparatus of the class described, the combination ot' a play pipe, an explosion chamber, an intake lor the play pipe, means for supplying air to said chamber, a pump ior supplying fuel to said chamber, an adjustable member for Varying the quantity of fuel delivered by said pump, and means actuated by the compression pressure in said chamber'to operate said pump.

In testimony whereof We aifix our signatures.

CHARLES H. RIITICNIIOUSE.v WILLIAM E. HALLETT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

